(74)
26th September, 1901.
NG A TONG declared:-
The Chairman. You are headman controlling the Peak public chairs aren't you?
A. Yes.
Q.-How many chairs are you
A.-Forty.
licensed to maintain at the Peak?
Q.-How much does each chair pay to you per moon?
A.-In winter each chair pays less than in summer.
Q.-Tell us how much they pay you in summer and in winter.
A. For two coolies each moon in summer $1.20 each, including rent and water
service.
not?
Q. In winter?
A.-Eighty cents each-two men $1.60.
Q.-Is that for the whole winter?
A.--I take seven winter months each year and five summer months.
Q.-If there is an intercalary month that will be generally a summer month, is it
Mr. Badeley. Does he reckon by moons or by English months?
A.-By moons. In summer the fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth moons.
The Chairman.-Now, how much does a chair bearer make every moon? Take the summer moons and then the winter moons.
A.-I can't tell you.
Q.-You don't know how much they make after paying you ?
A. After paying me, they can make eight or nine dollars.
Q.--All the year round?
A. No, in summer.
Q.-Well, how inuch do they make in winter?
A. Between five and six dollars.
Q. Do you keep the same number of chairs there in the winter as you do in the summer?
A.-In winter I keep fewer chairs-only thirty.
Q. For the money each of the coolies pays you, do you provide him with house accommodation ?
A.-- Yes.
Q.-Do you feed them also, or do they feed themselves?
A.-They feed themselves.
Q. How much does it cost them per head per inoon for food?
A. They are great eaters. I think it will cost them five or six dollars each.